Infectious Proteins: Unraveling the Mystery of Prions

Welcome to BioCurrent, where host Dalton Sizemore explores the enigmatic world of prions, infectious agents that defy the traditional rules of biology. In this episode, we delve into the bizarre nature of prions, which unlike bacteria or viruses, consist solely of misfolded proteins with no genetic material.

We discuss the groundbreaking work of Stanley Prusner, who discovered that these rogue proteins could transmit disease and challenge our understanding of inheritance and life itself. Discover the real-world implications of prion diseases like Mad Cow Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, their impact on public health, and the nearly indestructible nature of prions.

As we uncover the history and science of prions, learn how these shape-shifting proteins continue to push the boundaries of neuroscience and inspire groundbreaking research into common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Dive into the fascinating world of prions with BioCurrent, and explore the frontiers of molecular biology.